Relay-race starter.



A. L. FISH, RELAY RAOE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY a1, 1913,

latentd June 9, 1914 ports. Rising and ALA-NSON L. FISH, or rnosnme, NEW YORK.

RELAY-RACE swan-ran.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALANSON L. FISH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Flushing, county of, Queens, State of New York, have invented a new. and useful Relay-Race Starter, fully described in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, forming apart of the same.

My invention relates toa new relay race starter. i

The object of the invention is to provide a machine which .will automatically. give a starting signal to a succeeding runner of a team, the instant. the precedingrunner reaches a predetermined point. 1

The invention is particularly useful in races where the succeeding runner starts from a point other than the finishingmark of the preceding runner, and at the time when said preceding runner reaches said finishing mark. With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain combinations parts as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out.

Referring to the drawing:Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mechanismin which my invention may be embodied. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the device, showing'the parts in-their normal position. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate details. fragmentary perspective view of some of the parts illustrated in Fig. 3, but in the position which they assume when the device is actuated. r 7

Reference letter S represents the weighted base of the device. This base is of elliptical shape and has its weight concentrated for the most part around its edge in order to steady the superstructure which it supfrom the base is the vertical hollow standard R, which is provided at its upper extremity with a rigid collar P. The reception of the set-screw O. The rod C'is adapted to be vertically adjusted in the standard R and secured in adjusted position by means of the set screw 0. The sleeve B is adjustably secured to the upper end of the rod C, by means of the set-screw H. The member H serves also as a pivot for the signal arm E. The arm E is provided at its upper end with a suitable flag or signal M, and at its lower end with a weight D, the latter being for the purpose of normally Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 31, 1913. Serial No. 771,073.

provided In their normal positions appear as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and- 3. The chest arm A is in its extreme posi-.-

upper roll F Fig. 6is a.

the upper part-of the arm slightly to the right of the adjusted so that the I of the chest arniA, will project out over collar P has a threaded aperture for the holding the signal arni in a substantially verticat position. The the weight D is however somewhat to'the right (as viewed in Fig. l) ofthe center line of the signal arm D, for a. purpose-which 'The chest arm A is at one end with the aperturedbifurcations 1,2, whereby the arm is mounted to swing above T from moving longitudinally with respect thereto by reason of the sleeve' B as shown in Fig. 3. This end of'the arm A is also provided with a web will presently appear.

angularly adjustable ramme un 9. 1914.

the ma 0, but is prevented.

.J, which is adaptedtocontact with the shoulders- N, Z of the .sleeveB to limit the swinging movement 'of the said arm; The other end of the arm center of gravity of extension I,adapted to be secured'in adjusted position by the set-screw T. Secured to the part1 of the arm A, by means of the set-screw G, is the cam-like roll F.'

.The operation of the 'deviceis as follows:

tion with the web J in contact with the shoulder Z. The signal arm E is in substan tially vertical position and contact of the part of this arm with the cam-like shown in Fig. 1).

the running track at such a height that it will be struck by the chest of a' passing runner. The purpose of the angular adjustment or the extensionl of the chest arm is so that extension L of extension I may be placed squarely in the path of the runner even though the device is placed at a curve in the track. The device is, of course, positioned at the finish line of the individual relays. As a runner crosses the finish line, his chest hits the extension L of extension I of the chest arm, thereby swinging the said arm quickly about the rod C as an axis. As a result the cam-like roll F, which is secured to the chest arm, has a camming act-ion on the upper part of the signal arm "E, whereby the latter is given a rapid counthe various parts is assured by the heretofore men-' tioned eccentricity of the center of gravity- I to one end thereof to normally indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3, and by full lines in Fig. 6. This swinging of the signal arm E is the starting signal for the succeeding runner of the team. As soon as the preceding runner has passed, the parts immediately resume their normal positions by reason of the weight D.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment herein shown and described, but obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a relay race starter, the combination of a signal, actuating means therefor, said means being operable by contact with the body of a passing runner, and means for automatically returning the signal to its original position.

2. In a relay race starter, the combination of a pivoted signal arm, a pivoted actuating arm therefor, said actuating arm being adapted to be operated by contact with the body of a passing runner, and means for automatically returning the signal arm to its original position.

3. In a relay race starter, the combination of a pivoted signal arm, a cam-like roll for actuating said arm, and a second arm to which said roll is connected, said second arm being positioned in the path of a passing runner so that it will be struck by the passing runner and the signal arm thereby actuated. v

4:. In a relay race starter, the combination of a pivoted signal arm, a cam-like roll for actuating said arm, and a second arm to which said roll is connected, said second arm being positioned in the path of a passing runner so that it will be struck by the passing runner and the signal. arm thereby actuated, and said signal arm being provided with a counterweight, to immediately return said arms to their original positions.

5. In a relay race starter, the combination of a signal arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, a counterweight secured hold said arm in a substantially vertical position and v a chest arm pivotally mounted about a vertical axisand provided with means for swingmg said signal arm about its pivot.

6. In a relay race starter, the combination of a signal arm pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, a counterweight secured to one end thereof to normally hold said arm in a substantially vertical position,

a chest arm pivotally mounted about a vertical axis and. provided with means for swinging said signal arm about its pivot, and means to; limit the pivotal movement of said chest arm.

7. In a relay race starter, the combination of a signal arm, a support therefor, said support being vertically adjustable, and a second arm mounted adjacent said support for actuating said signal arm, said second arm being adapted to be operated by contact with the body of a passingv runner.

8. In a relay race starter, the combination of a signal arm, a support therefor, said support being vertically adjustable, a second arm mounted adjacent said support for actuating said signal arm, and an angularly adjustable extension secured to said second arm, said extension being adapted to be moved by contact with the body of a passing runner to thereby actuate said arms.

9. In a relay race starter, the combination of a vertically adjustable support, a signal arm pivotally mounted on said support, so as to swing about a horizontal axis, a chest arm adjacent said support and adapted to swing about a vertical axis, an actuating roll secured to said chest arm, said signal arm being provided at its lower end with an eccentrically mounted weight, whereby the upper portion of said signal arm is maintained in contact with said actuating roll and movement of the chest arm effects simultaneous movement of the signal arm.

7 ALANSON L. FISH.

Witnesses ARTHUR H. KILLEN, EMMA M. FISH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6. 

